Sunshine Mountain Retrievers

Sam R.

Breeder of Golden Retrievers

  • Waddell, AZ
  • Responds within a day

Available puppies and older dogs

Purple Female (6 weeks of foundational training included)

Ready Mar. 25

7 weeks old · Female

Yellow Female (6 weeks of foundational training)

Ready Mar. 25

7 weeks old · Female

Orange Male

Ready Mar. 25

7 weeks old · Male

Holly (AZ only guardian home 2 litters left before retired)

Ready now

3 years old · Female

Winnie (looking for Arizona guardian home)

Ready now

2 years old · Female

Layla (Guardian home AZ ONLY)

Ready Mar. 27

9 weeks old · Female

Meet the breeder

I'm Sam R., the breeder behind Sunshine Mountain Retrievers located in Waddell, AZ. We have been breeding since 2018 and we believe it is the breeder responsibility to raise healthy and well adjusted puppies for families. We have clear genetics and no line breeding with in 30 generations back and truly pour all our love and attention into these beautiful golden hearts.

Q. & A. with Sam

  • What are the different breed coat colors in your program?

    Our puppies include dark golden, golden, and light golden. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.

  • Where do your breeding dogs live?

    They live in my home.

Matched dogs

These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.

Getting a puppy from Sam

Sam has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.

Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.

Price

Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and between $3,000 - $6,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

"Puppies come with a 1 year life-threatening condition guarantee Vet check First shots Deworming AKC paperwork ENS training ESI training (for service animal prospects) Early potty training Goodie bag and so much more! Deposit goes towards full price of each puppy we require all puppies to have a deposit in order to hold them for you."

Contract & health guarantee

Sam may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Sam offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Sam directly.

Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more

What's included

    • From Good Dog
      • Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
      • 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
      • Puppy Training Program & private community
    • Enrichment & socialization
      • Various sounds
      • Car rides
      • Surface & tactile stimulation
      • Socialized with children
      • Socialized in new places
      • Scent introduction
      • Daily handling
      • Socialized with other dogs
      • Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
      • Socialized with other animals
    • Puppy health practices
      • Vet check
      • First round of shots and deworming
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • Toys
      • AKC registration
      • Initial potty training
      • Food & treats
      • Basic obedience & manners

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Sam.

Breeder's location

Meet in Waddell, AZ

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (formerly Williams AFB)

Meet in Tucson, AZ

More about Sam

  • Club memberships

    Sam is a member of Valle del Sol Golden Retriever Club, Golden Retriever Club of America, and English Golden Retrievers of North America.

  • Certifications & recognitions

    Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, CHIC Certified, Professional Groomer, Canine Behavioral Consultant Certificate (e-Training for Dogs), AKC Breeder of Merit, Whelping and Medical Intervention Course Completed (AKC), Puppy Culture Breeder, Fitness and Nutrition Diploma (e-Training for Dogs), AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T..

  • Sam has been a member of Good Dog for over 2 years

    Sam was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2023.

  • Sam’s links

Sam is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Sunshine Mountain Retrievers meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:

  • Responsible breeding practices
  • Health of breeding dogs and puppies
  • Puppy environment and enrichment
  • Buyer education and policies

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Excellent level

Sunshine Mountain Retrievers reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Golden Retrievers.

  • Hip Dysplasia

    Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.

  • Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)

    Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.

  • Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)

    Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)

    Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.

  • Ichthyosis, Golden Retriever Type

    A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.

  • DNA Disease Panel, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (NCL5), Golden Retriever Type, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), PRA, Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd), PRA, Golden Retriever 2, PRA, Golden Retriever 1

    Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Sam to bring home their puppies.

  • Ronda A.

    Verified owner · Sept. 2025

    The puppy has not arrived yet. The delivery company postponed the pickup a couple of days. I have had a great experience with the dog owners. I hope everything else goes well.

  • Jody M.

    Verified owner · Sept. 2025

    So, Sam is an angel in my opinion. I'm not even sure how I found her, but I am so glad that I did. Sam offers guardian home options, which allows for me to take ownership of a puppy with breeding rights staying with Sam. The rewards and incentives she offers for this arrangement are also wonderful. I met with Sam and she was so kind and open to talking to me and answering all my questions about the puppies, the guardian arrangement, training, etc. She showed me how to work with the puppy using various commands, gestures and body responses. We discussed my need for an ESA and Sam was so kind and encouraging, sharing her own story as well. Sam agreed to keep my puppy for additional training, including specific tasks for my ESA needs. I feel like Sam is extended family and I can turn to her at any time with questions or support. I feel very excited for this venture and am so appreciative to Sam for her knowledge, kindness, opportunity, and genuine love and care for both her dogs/puppies, but also the families they will go to. She is genuinely a kind human being. Thank you, Sam for making my wish come true of having a Goldie ESA. I could not have done it without you.

Photos

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Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

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